Remember the PSL? Well, it’s back. I answer 6 questions about the restart, including who has the most pressure to win the PSL championship and many more.
1. Who is the team with momentum?
Mamelodi Sundowns.
It’s difficult to talk about momentum because no team has played a competitive football match for four and a half months. Going into the lockdown Sundowns had won four of their five league games.
2. Which team has benefited from the break?
Kaizer Chiefs.
Amakhosi went it to the lockdown on a run of two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five PSL games – that isn’t championship-winning form.
Four and a half months is a long time. This feels like a new season. The time will surely rejuvenate Ernst Middendorp’s team to refocus.
3. Who will Kaizer Chiefs replace Maluleka with?
Kearyn Baccus is a decent player. He is actually pretty good but injuries kept him out for much of the season. Baccus might not have Maluleka’s passing range but he makes up for it with his other attributes.
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4. How will Wits perform?
For those of you who have been living under a rock or have been out of data because your R350 SASSA money has not made it to your bank account yet; Bidvest Wits is no more.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) has announced the purchase of the PSL status of Bidvest Wits. Come the end of the 2019/20 season, all their squad members, coaching, medical, and administrative staff will be posting their CV’s on pnet.co.za.
This I’m sure has had an effect on the team. We just don’t know if it’s negatively of positively. Wits are 10 points off the top. They have a game in hand which could cut the lead to 7.
Are they serious title contenders? As of now, I don’t think so but a team playing with a nothing to lose mentality is dangerous.
5. Are Orlando Pirates still in the PSL championship race?
Uhm… No really.
Orlando Pirates are 8 points behind Kaizer Chiefs and are a game ahead of their Soweto rival.
Pirates came back into the PSL championship picture when they went on a five-game winning streak. Kaizer Chiefs ended their unbeaten run and stretched their lead above them in their penultimate game before the lockdown. They went on to draw their last fixture against Golden Arrows.
6. Who has the most to lose?
Kaizer Chiefs.
Mamelodi Sundowns are two-time reigning champions and have already won the Telkom Knockout this season. They would love to win the title again but it isn’t a train smash if they don’t. Downs will just buy everybody else’s best player and try again next year.
Kaizer Chiefs have been on top of the table for most of the season. This is the best this club has looked for years. Chiefs are also looking to end their five-year trophyless drought.
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